Tony Ferguson was taken to hospital after being brutally knocked out by Michael Chandler at UFC 274.
The lightweight contenders met in a crossroads fight in Arizona with Chandler edging the first round after taking Ferguson to the canvas. But he left no doubt in the second session when a right front kick landed flush on Ferguson's chin and left him out cold on the canvas.
UFC president Dana White later confirmed Ferguson had been taken to hospital after what he described as the "most vicious knockout I've ever seen". He was later released after a CT scan came back clear. The American has now lost his last four fights, including against Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje who met in the main event.
Chandler later revealed he had not practised the fight-winning shot - because he doesn't like hurting his feet. "I dont know if I saw it in the moment, my body just moved, foot to face and a couple of back-flips," he said. "Sometimes the fights materialise exactly how you want them to and sometimes you stay within your normal box of what you use.
"Sometimes it works and sometimes you throw something you never, ever thought you would land, never mind knock someone out with. It's not something we train; I have the best kickboxing coach on the planet in Henri Hooft but we don't train front kicks. The main reason is it hurts my toes so my right foot is a little sore and I'm a big baby when it comes to my feet getting hurt.
"It's tough because ideally that's what I want to do to Tony Ferguson. We're in the business of separating guys from consciousness but Tony Ferguson has been a guy who has helped build the lightweight division. My thoughts and prayers are with him and I'm hoping for a speedy recovery."
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Chandler was quick to call out the winner of Oliveira's clash with Gaethje which ended in the first round when the Brazilian locked in a rear-naked choke and forced his challenger to tap out. Chandler also called out Conor McGregor for a fight at 170lb which the Irishman agreed to in principle.
"When Conor comes back and he's healthy, I'll be there," added Chandler. "He left his options open; he said it's a fight he wants down the line. He deserves and has earned the right to decide when he wants to fight, who he wants to fight and where he wants to fight.
"He's a combat sports icon and one of the biggest sports stars on the planet. In typical Conor fashion, he left his options open and he deserves to do that. I've never been a guy who has come at Conor, I don't need to disrespect someone or throw pot-shots at them to beat them inside the cage."
